Nectarine tree named ‘NECTARRUBY’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree, denominated ‘NECTARRUBY’, has fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive bright purple red skin color. The tree is of large size and is vigorous. Fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persicaL. Batsch var. nucipersica.

Variety denomination: ‘NECTARRUBY’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2010/0487 filed on Mar. 2, 2010 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of whitenectarine tree, Prunus persica L. Batsch var. nucipersica, which hasbeen given the variety denomination ‘NECTARRUBY’. This new tree producesfruit with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree aftergrowth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, freshfruit for fresh market in August in the Pyrénées-Orientales department,France. Contrast is made to ‘NECTAREXQUISE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,377)white nectarine tree, standard variety, for reliable description.‘NECTARRUBY’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that ithas an medium flowering, fruit with very long shelf life withoutalteration after harvesting, and so a very durable fruit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘NECTARRUBY’ nectarine tree originated in a cultivated area of the southof France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.The male parent was ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,384) a veryproductive white nectarine tree and the female parent‘02.10.53NB-ASF0327’ (non-patented) is also a white nectarine tree withvery good gustative qualities. ‘NECTARCRISP’ results from a freepollination of ‘MAILLARFLAT’ (SWEETCAP®, non-patented) white flat peachtree that was used as the seed parent. ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 19,384) blooms in the end of March near Elne, France, between18^(th) and 27^(th) of March, eleven days after ‘SNOWQUEEN’ or ‘ZAITABO’(BIG TOP®) varieties with the same climatic conditions. The maturityperiod is late, at the beginning of September. The productivity is verygood. The fruit is very attractive, large and firm, semi-sweet andaromatic, with a very long shelf life. ‘02.10.53NB-ASF0327’(non-patented) is a white nectarine tree with a maturity period in earlyAugust with the climatic conditions of South of France. The bloomingperiod of ‘02.10.53NB-ASF0327’ is early March. The fruit of‘02.10.53NB-ASF0327’ has excellent gustative qualities, semi-sweet, verysugared and very aromatic. ‘NECTARRUBY’ variety was obtained byhybridizing and propagated by grafting in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientalesdepartment, France. ‘NECTARRUBY’ variety has been determined to haveunique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercialfresh fruit production. There are no known effects of this standardrootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remainedtrue to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and thefruit were transmitted. The plant of the ‘NECTARRUBY’ variety wasreproduced asexually in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.More particularly, the plant of the ‘NECTARRUBY’ variety was reproducedby grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree ‘NECTARRUBY’ bloomsin early March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.More particularly, it blooms around 3 or 4 days after ‘NECTAREXQUISE’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,377). The blooming period is considered medium.

The first fruit of ‘NECTARRUBY’ ripens in August, around 5 days beforethe first fruit of ‘NECTAREXQUISE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,377) variety.More particularly, it approximately ripens between the 10^(th) and the22^(nd) of August.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying pictures, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at differentdevelopment stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and thereproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows three typical specimens of thefruit, one having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of thehalves for depicting fruit flesh, pit cavity and stone of the newvariety; leaves of the new variety are also present.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph that shows four typical stones of the‘NECTARRUBY’ variety.

FIG. 4: shows a typical ‘NECTARRUBY’ tree.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘NECTARRUBY’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-spread tosemi-upright aspect. The flowering shoot is present excluding brushwoodside away from sun. Flowering begins medium in springtime. The type offlower is showy, with medium to large petal size. Petals are medium pinkto dark pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. Time of maturity forconsumption is medium. The fruit flesh is white with a slight pinkpigmentation and a slight red pigmentation into the stone cavity andaround in a star-shape on approximately 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Fruit skin isvery thick, of bright purple red color on a pink-washed red ground. Thestone is clingstone, of a medium to large size and the flesh is more orless adherent according to the fruit maturity. Fruit taste issemi-sweet.

Compared to ‘NECTAREXQUISE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,377) the bloomingperiod is later of about 3 to 4 days and is considered medium for thevariety in the South of France climatic conditions. The maturity isearlier of about 5 days. The fruit is larger and much more colored. Thefruit skin is smoother and has no lenticels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of white nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved during the second fruiting season under the ecologicalconditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, inthe Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. All observations have beenmade on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘FRANC INRA MONTCLAR®’tree. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S.Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal HorticulturalSociety of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large as compared to other common commercial nectarine            cultivars. The tree size the first year was approximately            2.50 meters. The tree was pruned during each following            dormant season to a height of approximately 2.50 meters.            Current seasons shoots growth could reach 0.80 meters. So            the tree size from the second year (second and next years)            reached a final height of 3.30 meters including current            seasons shoots length.        -   Spread.—Approximately 1.0 meter. The whole orchard was            oriented to a central leader organization, with tree lines            spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same            tree line.        -   Vigor.—Strong vigor. The present variety grew from about            60.0 centimeters to 80.0 centimeters in height during the            first and following growing seasons. For second and            following seasons, the variety was pruned to an approximate            height of 2.50 meters.        -   Productivity.—Very productive. Fruit set is spaced by            thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired            market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with            the prevailing climatic conditions and cultivar practices            employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not            distinctive of the present variety.        -   Bearer.—Very regular. A thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was            necessary for the tree valorization. Thinning may not be too            important because of the high magnifying potential of the            fruit.        -   Form.—Semi-spread to semi-upright naturally.        -   Density.—Considered medium dense to dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions.            Fruits remain very attractive because they are well colored            with an excellent semi-sweet flavor. Experimentations on            different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised            between 350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behavior of            the tree in all cases. No damages were caused by ascertained            temperatures as low as −12° degrees Celsius. The tree was            also very resistant to frosty springtime weather.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 4.6 centimeters and 5.3            centimeters when measured at a distance of approximately            30.0 centimeters above the soil, on trees from the second            growing season.        -   Bark texture.—Rough, with lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present on trees from the            second growing season. The number of lenticels reaches 4 to            5 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size from            approximately 0.15 centimeters in height and about 0.2 to            0.5 centimeters in width.        -   Lenticels color.—The outside surface of lenticels has a            silver-grey color (RHS GREY 201 C), whereas the inside            surface is brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 166 C to 166 D).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color a little            more pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS GREY 201 B            to 201 C or RHS N 200C).-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are            considered medium to thick for the variety. Mature branches            show a length between 70.0 and 90.0 centimeters.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.            The current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 10.0            millimeters, and branches of trees from the second growing            season have a diameter comprised between 9.0 and 16.0            millimeters.        -   Current season shoots surface texture.—Average, wood that is            several years old has no furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally between 45 degrees and 70            degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular            characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,            however.        -   Internode length.—Generally 26.0 millimeters to 38.0            millimeters.        -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A).        -   Color of current season shoots.—The color of new shoot tips            is considered a light yellow green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 A            to 144 C) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper            part is colored brown-purple to brown-red (RHS GREYED PURPLE            GROUP 187 A to 187 B or GREYED RED 182 A) following the            position on the shoot.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species. Leaf            measurements have been taken from vigorous, upright,            current-season growth at approximately mid-shoot. The ratio            leaf length/leaf width is above 3.36.        -   Leaf length.—From 130.0 to 173.0 millimeters with leaf            petiole. Average length of 159.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf width.—From 42.0 to 50.0 millimeters. Average width of            47.3 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Concave relative to the leaf longitudinal            axis.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Tip form.—Acuminate.-   Leaf color:    -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark Green (RHS GREEN 137 A).        -   Lower surface.—A slightly lower green (RHS GREEN 137 B to            137 C) than the upper leaf surface color.        -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.-   Mid-vein:    -   -   Color.—Light green with a yellow touch (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145            D).        -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.        -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.        -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In            this last case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one            or two smaller leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more).-   Leaf petioles:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium.        -   Length.—About 8.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—About 1.5 millimeters.        -   Color.—Light green on the upper surface (RHS YELLOW GREEN            145 A to 145 B) and light green with a cream touch (RHS            YELLOW GREEN 145 C to 145 D) on the lower surface.-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 1.0 to 1.5            millimeters. Their width is about 1.0 millimeter.        -   Number.—Generally 2 to 3.        -   Type.—Reniform.        -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf gland color is considered pale            green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 B). On older leaves, leaf gland            color turns to a dark brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A to 199 B).        -   Margins.—Smooth and regular.-   Leaf stipules:    -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in            the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is            possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a            normal-size leaf and smaller ones.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. At pre-floral stage of development,            the floral buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their            form is evolving until blooming, with variable dimensions.            Just before blooming, floral buds are approximately 11.0            millimeters wide and approximately 22.0 millimeters long.            Color. This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of            the flowers buds, or calyx formed by sepals, is of            purple-brown color (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A to 183 D or            GREYED BROWN GROUP 199 A); the corolla formed by petals, is            generally of medium pink color (RHS RED PURPLE 65 B or 69            C). Petals color shows an evolution until the end of            blooming. Hardiness. The buds are considered hardy under            typical central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic            conditions. No winter injury was noted during the last            several years of evaluation in the central            Pyrénées-Orientales department, with winter temperatures as            low as −10° C. in January. The current variety has not been            intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, but the            variety showed a very good resistance in orchard to            temperatures up to 42° C. with an average temperature            between 28° C. and 30° C. during 3 weeks in summer. Date of            bloom. Generally early March. The first bloom, observed on            Mar. 3, 2005, was exceptionally early. Second and third            blooms took place respectively on Mar. 7, 2009 and Mar.            22, 2010. Blooming time. Considered medium in relative            comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in            the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The date of full            bloom is observed at the middle of the blooming period. The            date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and            cultural practices. Duration of bloom. Approximately 10            days. This characteristic varies slightly with the            prevailing climatic conditions. Flower type. The variety is            considered to have a showy type flower. Flower size.            Considered medium. Flower diameter at full bloom is            approximately 30.0 to 38.0 millimeters. Bloom quantity.            Considered abundant, approximately 45 flowers per meter.            Flower bud frequency. Generally 2 flower buds appear per            node, occasionally 1.        -   Petal.—Size. Considered medium to large for the species.            Length. Generally about 22.0 millimeters. Width. Generally            about 18.0 millimeters. Petal form. Round. Petal count.            Nearly always 5. Petal texture. Smooth and glabrous. Petal            color. Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a medium            Pink (RHS RED PURPLE 65 B to 65 D) when young, darkening            with advancing senescence. Fragrance. Soft.        -   Petal claw.—Form. The claw is considered to have a conic            form with a slightly rounded tip. Length. Approximately 6.5            millimeters. Width. Average 4.0 millimeters. Petal margins.            Slightly wavy, sinuate.        -   Petal apex.—Generally. The petal apices are generally            complete at the tip and large round.        -   Flower pedicel.—Length. Considered medium to long and having            an average length of approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters.            Diameter. Average 2.0 millimeters. Color. Brown to light            brown (RHS GREY BROWN N199 C to N199 D).        -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. Smooth and glabrous. Color.            The outer surface of the calyx is considered of purple-brown            (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A to 183 D) color. The inner surface            is washed-green yellow (RHS YELLOW 13 A to 13 B or YELLOW            GREEN 150 A to 150 B).        -   Sepals.—Number. Generally 5. Surface texture. The outer            surface has a fine pubescent texture. Size. Medium. Ovoid            shape. Length. Approximately between 5.0 and 6.0            millimeters. Width. Approximately between 4.0 and 5.0            millimeters. Color. A flat red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A to            183 D or GREY BROWN 199 A). Average number of stamens per            flower. Average 40 stamens per flower.        -   Anthers.—Length. Medium. Color. Yellow-orange-red color (RHS            YELLOW ORANGE 16 A to 16 B). Anthers are becoming brown (RHS            GREYED RED 178 A) after maturity. Pollen production. Pollen            is abundant, and has a yellow color (RHS YELLOW ORANGE 17 B            to 17 C) evolving with the flower maturity. The present            variety is auto-fertile (self-pollinating).        -   Filaments.—Size. Variable in length, approximately 11.0 to            18.0 millimeters in length. Color. Considered pale pink (RHS            RED PURPLE 62 C to 62 D or RED PURPLE 73 A to 73 B).        -   Pistil.—Number. Usually 1. Length. Approximately 17.0            millimeters including the ovary. Their length is usually            lower than the longest filaments. Color. Considered very            pale green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 150 D or RHS YELLOW GREEN 151            D). Surface texture. Glabrous.-   Fruits:    -   -   Maturity.—Very firm at maturity (shipping ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 15, 2010.        -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 25, 2010. The date of harvest            varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.        -   Gathering period.—Approximately 10 days.        -   Size.—Generally. Considered large to very large, with a            homogeneous size between them. Average cheek diameter. From            73.0 millimeters to 80.0 millimeters. Average axial            diameter. From 70.0 millimeters 76.0 millimeters. Typical            weight. Generally between 240.0 grams and 290.0 grams. This            characteristic is highly dependent upon the prevailing            cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly            distinctive of the variety.        -   Fruit form.—Generally. Round to slightly oblong. The fruit            is generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from pistil end.            Fruit suture. Shallow, extending from the base to the apex.            No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the suture            line. Slightly marked.        -   Suture.—Color. This has generally a color similar to the            blush fruit color, a bright purple red (RHS GREYED PURPLE            187 A to 187 B) on a ground (RHS RED 45 B to 45 C).        -   Ventral surface.—Form. Usually smooth. Sometimes slightly            oblique on the base side. Apex. Sometimes very slightly            marked. Base. Semi-flared. Shallow. Oblique shaped on the            suture side. Stem cavity. Average depth of the stem cavity            is about 8.0 millimeters. Average width is about 12.0            millimeters.        -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. Considered very thick and strong, and            tenacious to the flesh depending on stage of maturity.            Texture. Smooth. Taste. Semi-sweet, sugared, aromatic.            Tendency to crack. None.        -   Color.—Blush color. This blush color is a homogenous bright            purple red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 187 A to 187 B). The red blush            covers 90% to 100% of the fruit skin surface. The percentage            of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary, and is            generally dependent upon the prevailing conditions under            which the fruit was grown. Ground color. The ground color            appears on 10% to 20% of the fruit skin surface, and is            considered washed-pink red (RHS RED 47 B to 47 C). Fruit            stem. Medium in length, from 7.0 to 8.0 millimeters.            Diameter. Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters. Color. Pale            green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 A to 145 B).        -   Flesh.—Ripens. Very homogenous, slow, very evenly. Texture.            Very firm, very dense, crunchy, luscious and juicy at            harvesting maturity stage. Fibers. Not fibrous. Aroma.            Pronounced. Eating quality. Considered very good and            aromatic. Flavor. Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is            generally superior to 13 degrees and acidity is comprised            between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor is considered juicy            and aromatic. Juice. Very juicy at complete maturity. Brix.            Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This characteristic            varies slightly with the number of fruit per tree;            prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic            conditions. Flesh color. White flesh (RHS WHITE 155 A to            155 B) with slight pink pigmentation (RHS RED 54 B) and also            with slight red pigmentation star-shaped around the stone            cavity on approximately 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm and in the stone            cavity (RHS RED 53 A to 53 B).        -   Stone.—Type. Clingstone. Stone cavity. Medium size, with an            elliptic-form and dimensions corresponding to the stone's            dimensions. Size. Considered medium to large for the            variety. The stone size varies significantly depending upon            the tree vigor, crop load and prevailing growing conditions.            Length. From 35.0 to 38.0 millimeters. Width. From 26.0 to            27.0 millimeters. Diameter. From 18.0 to 19.0 millimeters.            Form. Elliptic. Base. Straight.        -   Apex.—Shape. The stone apex is very prominent, pronounced,            and has a pointed tip.        -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. The pit is usually            transversely furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are            more pronounced toward the apex. The stone is pitted toward            the base. Relief is prominent generally and present basally.            Ridges. The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more            prominent at the apical tip.        -   Ventral edge.—Width. Considered small to medium, and having            a dimension of approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture.        -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. Grooved. Stone color. The color of the            dry stone is red-brown (RHS GREYED PURPLE N186 C or 187 A to            187 B) with some zones of light brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 174            B to 174 C). Tendency to split. Splitting is absent or very            low, depending on climatic conditions between blooming            period and stone hardening.        -   Kernel.—Size. Medium. Length. About 18.0 millimeters. Width.            About 13.0 millimeters. Thickness. About 4.0 millimeters.            Form. Considered oblate and elliptic. Pellicle. Light and            pubescent. Color. The kernel skin is orange brown (RHS            GREYED ORANGE 167 B to 167 C or N167 B to N167 C). The            almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is cream-white (RHS            WHITE 155 B). The kernel and its embryo are mature at the            time of fruit maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘NECTARRUBY’ is considered to be a            white nectarine tree of the late season of maturity, and            which produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively            colored. Fruits are excellent for uncooked consumption,            crunchy or at full maturity. Due to their flesh quality,            firmness and density, they can also be commercialized as            4^(th) range product (packed fruit or fruit in bags for            example). And they are also useful for both local and very            long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than            one week on tree before harvest and then, has stored well            more than 4 weeks after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They            have a slow maturation and a long shelf life both on the            tree after growth completion and after harvesting without            alteration.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new            nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or            skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and            packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during            harvest and packing and its long shelf life without            alteration after harvest easily permit 3 weeks-shipping at            2° degree Celsius.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very            sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and            decay due to its thick and strong skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France, it should beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pestcontrol and horticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree as illustrated anddescribed, characterized by fruit of very long shelf life withoutalteration after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white flesh of higheating quality and an attractive skin color, with a very high percentageof bright purple red.